He rose to prominence as an outspoken critic of President Calderón Guardia in 1942 and was exiled to Mexico (1942-44). In 1948 he led a revolution to ensure the presidency of newly elected Otilio Ulate. He served as provisional president (1948-49), abolishing the army and nationalizing financial and communication services before turning the government over to Ulate. He was overwhelmingly elected president in 1953. Despite bitter opposition, he instituted a sweeping program of welfare legislation, public works, and educational reform. As president from 1970 to 1974, he pushed further social and economic reforms. His son, José María Figueres Olsen , 1954-, was president of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998.